Impeller structure

ABSTRACT

An impeller structure includes an impeller provided with a hub having a periphery provided with multiple blades in a radiating manner. The hub of the impeller is provided with a pivot portion. A fixing frame or an annular frame is combined on an outer periphery of the blades of the impeller. A magnet ring is fixed on an outer periphery of the fixing frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an impeller structure, and more particularly to an impeller structure of an outer pole type heatsink fan, wherein a better fixing effect may be formed between the magnet ring of the impeller and the outer periphery of the blades.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A conventional impeller structure of a heatsink fan in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 6 is disclosed in the applicant's Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 382412, comprising a base board 90 having a shaft 91 for supporting an impeller 92 to rotate. The outer periphery of the blades 93 of the impeller 92 is combined with a magnet ring 94. The base board 90 is provided with multiple poles 95, and an outer frame 96 is mounted on the base board 90. The magnet ring 94 may induce with the poles 95 of the base board 90, so that the impeller 92 may be rotated, and the blades 93 may drive the air to flow.

[0005] In conventional impeller structure, the magnet ring 94 is combined with the outer periphery of the blades 93 of the impeller 92 and is fixed and bonded by a bonding agent. However, the magnet ring 94 is made by sintering a glue magnet or rare earth magnet. Thus, when the magnet ring 94 is made, the circularity and size of the magnet ring 94 cannot be controlled exactly. Thus, the magnet ring 94 cannot combine with the outer periphery of the blades 93 of the impeller 92 conveniently. In addition, the magnet ring 94 cannot be fixed on the outer periphery of the blades 93 of the impeller 92 exactly and rigidly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an impeller structure, wherein the magnet ring of the impeller may be fixed on the outer periphery of the blades exactly and conveniently.

[0007] A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide an impeller structure, wherein the magnet ring of the impeller may be fixed on the outer periphery of the blades exactly and rigidly.

[0008] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an impeller structure, wherein when the magnet ring of the impeller may be fixed on the outer periphery of the blades, the magnet ring and the poles may have a better magnetism gathering effect, thereby preventing from loss of magnetism.

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an impeller structure including an impeller provided with a hub having a periphery provided with multiple blades in a radiating manner. The hub of the impeller is provided with a pivot portion. A fixing frame or an annular frame is combined on an outer periphery of the blades of the impeller. A magnet ring is fixed on an outer periphery of the fixing frame.

[0010] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an impeller structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front plan cross-sectional assembly view of the impeller structure as shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a front plan cross-sectional assembly view of an impeller structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an impeller structure in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a front plan cross-sectional assembly view of the impeller structure as shown in FIG. 4; and

[0016]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional impeller structure in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, an impeller structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an impeller 1, a fixing frame 2, and a magnet ring 3.

[0018] The impeller 1 may be made by a plastic injection molding process, or made of a metallic material. Thus, the size of the impeller 1 may be controlled exactly. The impeller 1 has a hub 11 having a periphery provided with multiple blades 12 in a radiating manner. The hub 11 of the impeller 1 is provided with a pivot portion 13 having a central shaft or central hole, so that the impeller 1 may be pivoted to rotate by the pivot portion 13. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pivot portion 13 may be a central hole for placing a bearing, so that so that the impeller 1 may be pivoted on a rotation shaft to rotate.

[0019] The fixing frame 2 is circular. The fixing frame 2 may be made by a plastic injection molding process, or made of a metallic material. The fixing frame 2 may be made individually, or integrally formed with the impeller 1. When the fixing frame 2 is made individually, the inner diameter of the fixing frame 2 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the blades 12 by a bonding agent or in a close fit manner. The fixing frame 2 is made by a plastic injection molding process, or made of a metallic material, so that when the fixing frame 2 is combined with the outer periphery of the blades 12, the fixing frame 2 may be combined with the outer periphery of the blades 12 conveniently and rigidly due to the exact size of the fixing frame 2 and the blades 12. Especially, when the fixing frame 2 is integrally formed with the impeller 1, the fixing frame 2 may be combined with the outer periphery of the blades 12 more rigidly.

[0020] The magnet ring 3 is circular, and may be made by sintering a glue magnet or rare earth magnet in a conventional manner. The inner diameter of the magnet ring 3 is directly mounted on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2. When the fixing frame 2 is made of a metallic material, the magnet ring 3 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2 by the magnetic attractive force therebetween. In addition, when the magnet ring 3 is combined with the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2 in a close fit manner or by a bonding agent, the magnet ring 3 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2 more rigidly.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the impeller structure in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is assembled. The fixing frame 2 is fixed on the outer periphery of the blades 12 of the impeller 1, and the magnet ring 3 is fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2. The fixing frame 2 is made of plastic or metallic material, so that the size of the fixing frame 2 and the blades 12 may be controlled exactly, and the fixing frame 2 may be combined with the outer periphery of the blades 12 conveniently and rigidly. Especially, when the fixing frame 2 is integrally formed with the impeller 1 by a plastic injection molding process, the fixing frame 2 may be combined with the outer periphery of the blades 12 more rigidly. When the magnet ring 3 is fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2, a larger contact area is define between the magnet ring 3 and the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2, so that the magnet ring 3 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2 exactly and rigidly. In addition, when the fixing frame 2 is made of metallic material, the fixing frame 2 may have a better magnetism gathering effect, thereby preventing from loss of magnetism.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, an impeller structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] The fixing frame 2 has an upper end and a lower end, wherein at least one of the upper end and the lower end of the fixing frame 2 is provided with a protruded annular lip 21. Thus, when the magnet ring 3 is fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2, the magnet ring 3 and the outer periphery of the fixing frame 2 may have a larger contact area. Especially, when the annular lip 21 is located at the lower end or the upper end and the lower end of the fixing frame 2, the annular lip 21 may be used to support and retain the magnet ring 3.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, an impeller structure in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention comprises an impeller 4, a fixing frame 5, and a magnet ring 3.

[0025] The impeller 4 may be made by a plastic injection molding process, or made of a metallic material. The impeller 4 has a hub 41 having a periphery provided with multiple blades 42 in a radiating manner. The hub 41 of the impeller 4 is provided with a pivot portion 43 having a central shaft or central hole as shown in the figure, so that the impeller 4 may be pivoted to rotate by the pivot portion 43. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pivot portion 43 may be a central hole for placing a bearing, so that the impeller 4 may be pivoted on a rotation shaft to rotate. An annular ring 44 is mounted on the outer periphery of the blades 42 of the impeller 4. The annular ring 44 may be integrally formed with the impeller 4 by a plastic injection molding process, and may be fixed on the outer periphery of the blades 42 of the impeller 4 by a bonding agent or in a close fit manner. In addition, the upper end or lower end of the annular ring 44 may be provided with a protruded annular lip 45.

[0026] The fixing frame 5 is made of a metallic material. The inner diameter of the fixing frame 5 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the annular frame 44 of the impeller 4. In addition, the upper end or lower end of the fixing frame 5 may be provided with a protruded annular lip 51.

[0027] The magnet ring 3 is circular, and may be made by sintering a glue magnet or rare earth magnet in a conventional manner. The inner diameter of the magnet ring 3 is directly mounted on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 5. The fixing frame 5 is made of a metallic material, the magnet ring 3 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 5 by the magnetic attractive force therebetween. In addition, when the magnet ring 3 is combined with the outer periphery of the fixing frame 5 in a close fit manner or by a bonding agent, the magnet ring 3 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 5 more rigidly.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, the impeller structure in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention is assembled. The fixing frame 5 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the annular frame 44 of the impeller 4, and the magnet ring 3 is fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 5. The size of the annular frame 44 of the impeller 4 and the fixing frame 5 may be controlled exactly, so that the fixing frame 5 may be combined with the outer periphery of the annular frame 44 of the impeller 4 conveniently and rigidly. Especially, when the annular frame 44 is integrally formed with the impeller 4 by a plastic injection molding process, the fixing frame 5 may be combined with the outer periphery of the annular frame 44 of the impeller 4 more rigidly. When the magnet ring 3 is fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 5, the magnet ring 3 and the fixing frame 5 have a larger contact area, so that the magnet ring 3 may be fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame 5 exactly and rigidly. Especially, the upper end or lower end of the annular ring 44 may be provided with a protruded annular lip 45, and the upper end or lower end of the fixing frame 5 may be provided with a protruded annular lip 51, so as to support and retain the magnet ring 3 without detachment. Further, when the fixing frame 5 is made of metallic material, the fixing frame 5 may have a better magnetism gathering effect, thereby preventing from loss of magnetism.

[0029] Accordingly, in the impeller structure of the present invention, when the magnet ring is combined with the impeller, at least one fixing frame is provided between the blades of the impeller and the magnet ring, and the fixing frame may be made of plastic or metallic material, so that the size of the blades and the fixing frame may be controlled exactly, and the blades of the impeller may be combined with the fixing frame more rigidly. In addition, when the magnet ring is fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame, the magnet ring and the fixing frame have a larger contact area, so that the magnet ring may be fixed on the outer periphery of the fixing frame exactly and rigidly. Further, when the fixing frame is made of metallic material, the fixing frame may have a better magnetism gathering effect, thereby preventing from loss of magnetism.

[0030] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An impeller structure, comprising: an impeller, provided with a hub having a periphery provided with multiple blades in a radiating manner, the hub of the impeller provided with a pivot portion; a fixing frame, formed with a circular shape, and combined on an outer periphery of the blades of the impeller; and a magnet ring, formed with a circular shape, and fixed on an outer periphery of the fixing frame.
 2. The impeller structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing frame and the impeller are integrally formed by a plastic material.
 3. The impeller structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing frame is made of a metallic material.
 4. The impeller structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing frame is provided with a protruded annular lip formed on an upper end or lower end of the fixing frame.
 5. An impeller structure, comprising: an impeller, provided with a hub having a periphery provided with multiple blades in a radiating manner, the hub of the impeller provided with a pivot portion, an annular frame combined on an outer periphery of the blades of the impeller; a fixing frame, made of metallic material, formed with a circular shape, and combined on an outer periphery of the annular frame of the impeller; and a magnet ring, formed with a circular shape, and fixed on an outer periphery of the fixing frame.
 6. The impeller structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the annular frame and the impeller are integrally formed by a plastic material.
 7. The impeller structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the annular frame is provided with a protruded annular lip formed on an upper end or lower end of the fixing frame.
 8. The impeller structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fixing frame is provided with a protruded annular lip formed on an upper end or lower end of the fixing frame. 